Grindintosecond

Because
I care about you...I will discuss the new rules affecting me. They will
also affect you during bad weather airline days and make things worse.
Because of a close look at how tired the pilots can get with the current
70's era rules in place, and it's effect on a certain crash in Buffalo a
short while back, the FAA geniuses figured out that, after observing us
work for 40 years, perhaps the pilots aren't getting enough sleep. I
can tell you this is true. A lot. In fact I know of many pilots whose
first rule upon returning from an overseas international flight, is "No
powertools". So what's happening? The biggest change is to how much we
can work and sleep in a day.

NOW: I can get assigned up to 8 hours
of flying for a single day. I can be AT work for up to 16 hours, within
that is where I fly the 8 maximum. The current rules say if it takes me
more than 8 hours to fly that assignment, then cool go do it just don't
bust that 16 hours. So we did. Frequently. My record so far is just
over 10 hours flying to complete a 7 hour assignment. Weather, snow,
holding, fuel diversions, etc. all play a part in that horrible day it
was. If we are truly worn out and exhausted at any point in that big
stretch of hours to finish the trip, then yes we can tell them we are
Fatigued, fill out a report, and then go collapse at a hotel somewhere
but most often we are able to finish the schedule. they could also give
us 9 hours of rest in between trips that includes travel to and from the
hotel, going through security, and trying to eat something in there.
Oh, we do have to find some kind of sleep as well. Out of 9 hours, I'll
get 6 of sleep.

JANUARY-5: New rules say I become a pumpkin at
X hours. I stop. I go to the hotel and sleep. If the maximum scheduled
hours is 8, I cannot fly more than 8 to finish that schedule. period.
Unlike before. This means if we have to divert to get more fuel
somewhere else, you could very well be stuck there because I cannot take
off again to get you to your destination if I will exceed that maximum
limit of hours. Another fresh crew would have to do that....where would
they find them is a mystery. I now get a minimum of 10 hours of rest
between trips no matter what and in that I must have the ability to
sleep for 8. This is all good for the flight crew working your flight to
grandma's house, but given how weather can screw anyone with delays or
cancellations, now they will have to worry about where the flight crews
are going to get stuck at because they FAA will no longer let the
airlines attempt to work them silly tired. (Some regional airlines in the past have been very bad at that.)

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So what does this
mean to you? Well, don't go and travel on bad weather days especially in
the afternoon. Fly in the mornings. In the afternoon or night on bad
weather days at large airports, there will be flight crews all timed out
being sent to hotels at airports they weren't supposed to be at in the
first place and planes and passengers stuck there until morning or until
they get another crew in place. Oh, the biggest thing, the airline will
NOT GIVE YOU A FREE HOTEL ROOM. Not unless it was their fault....and bad weather is not their fault. You didn't plan ahead. That's how they look at it.

Good
luck traveling this season, keep in mind that in January, things change
and everyone at the airlines have to see how it really affects
operations. they've been working at it, some more than others, but it
will take a bit to see it all pan out. I hope you get where you're going safely.